Unitary solution control apparatus



Dec. 22, 1953 J, G HQDGE'NS, JR 2,663,308

UNITARY SOLUTION CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1950 Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITARY .SOLUTION CONTROL -ABPRATUS f- Jhnev.-Hoagens,-sr., ohippwwrane-Wisg as.- signorto' The DiverseyC'orpox-ation Applieationcanuary 25, 195o.; seriali-iu,` 14d-31o This invention-relates to' the 'control of (solutions such 'asl are used' in apparatus for Washing o1*y treating various' articles; and is a continuation of iny-copending application entitled Electronic Solution4 Control- Apparatus; Serial Noi 323640, iiled June- 12,'v 1948', now"PatentNo;.2,6213673. Like lthe aforesaid copending application this invention-also has as' its'primary object the maintenance of a body oi solution at a predetermined coI-i-centration.

'The Washing and/or-treating solutions here in questionv are lgenerally vofthe 'type .employed in dishwashingmachines oiinl apparatus for cleaning--bottles cans; and Aother receptacles. Such solutions'may 4bel either alkalinel oracidinl'natui'e, and it isf inevital'ole'v througlrcontinueduse that theiri concentrations change,H necessitating irequent l addition thereto oa regenerating medium tomain-tain themcat a predeterui'ined vconcentration vmost 'effectivefor-the'y washing, or clean;V ing operations being performed; Wheneither an alkaline or acid solution ybecomes" Weal'rerr 'during use, a ycor-icen-trated regenerating medium-mustbe added thereto to strengthen the-solutionand restore it to thedesired concentration;whileiwater or-a suitable diluent must'be-added' to either an alkaline or acidi solution which ibecomesistronger during use to weaken and-restore toY the'de-v sired concentration.

In dishwashing machines;-` fon-instancef the i alkaline Washing solution loses eectivenessnby continued use-and Vthe #addi-tion' of fresh 'rinse Water to the supply of' solution-contained inthe' mach-ine. Also, -by-Wayfoi-"examplei, someacid solutionsmay tend to :become istronger-than `desired after being in use for some timefand the regeneration of such-acid `solutions is eiecte'd rloy the addition thereto ofwatei or some-other diluent =tov effect -loweringvof the concentrationto the desired valuerf Electronicv control`I apparatus for governing thofconcentrat-i'on of eitheralkaiine or. acidsolutions are shown anddescribed-inmy copending application; Seri-a'lf No.Lv 591)"489, -i ied 1945', new abandoned. 1

v Asbrought out atlengthin the aforesaid ico-f pending applications, the addition of a regenerating medium 'to the supplyY ofsolution 'is' prefere.

alolyl effected' automatically. This isi accomplished electronically by controls rendered merative lat thedictation oi electrodemeans contacted by the solution lto eiecttransien of. regenerating medium Vfrom Y av s.uppl y,.tl1ereof to the,I .reservoir in which the. solution is,fmaintained,i solelygin accordance, with the ,electrical resistance; mirthe solution. t

The control/apparatus of my.. aforesaid copendingsapplication,v now Patent No. 2,62ll`3, Waszmadeasa ,unit capableof being4 used with anycwashngaor cleaning apparatus for the. con trol of the y.solution .used therein, and, embodied alftest; cell .through whichf thesolution was circulated to .have .the resistance thereof. detected. In ithefcase of a dishwashing machine, circulation of Washl-igY solution through .thetest cell .islreadily accomplished using Athetsan'ie. pump .employed to Spray thesol-utio'n uponthedishesbeing washed While the provision .of ,a-.unitary control...ap= paratus had .lirianyrx acliz'ani'agesitV also had .one disadi/ani'.age whichresultdifrom the fact that thestest cell. usuallyWas-located a .distance from the supplyvofsolutionmeing controlledf. Hence it, .Wasinevitabla-that .the concentration of .the solutionlin ,thertestcell'wouldmot be the same as,..that. of ,the .supplyof solution at anyv one/instant; yduring regeneration. .of/ the. supply. In otheinwo-itds,` during regeneration, there vWas a lapse fof :time -before ,the-regenerating! medium became, dispersed.. throughout! the. supplyY of solution and the .effects .of thusadding regenerating medium-to `the suppl-y of .solutioncouldhe manifested in :the test .-cell.

Thislaa orflapse of. time usually resulted, inthe transfer oil-more. .than :the desiredvamount oil-regenerating medium to the supply, 0f. solution, causing awaste of-detergentsin thecase of dishwashingapparaws; ,andgaye `the effect of insuicientsensitiyity ori-the part of the. electronic controlinstrumentalities..

However, a more serious objection Was encoun-` tered Whenever1the'washing machine was turned off''by the` operator, at "which time the circulationeof Washing solutionthroughthe testcell of the electronicr control ceased.` If the controls Werewina feeding cycle lat this` time, that is,` efffectingftransferf ofvconcentrated Washing' `liquor torfthewsupply vof Wash-ingu,solution;` there Wasnothingv tcstop; :the addition :of:` the regenerating liquorrzto the supplyvof solutionvin :the absence oifcirculation; of the--streng-.theningf solution through fthe: test cell, Obviously, automatic control-i offfthe transfer of.v regenerating-.liquid to kthe suppl-y ofi solution-is Ylost under-.the `conditions outlined.

Accordinglygit is-.oneof therobjectsof thisin- Vventionl to; provide an :electronic solution control apparatus'whiehlwill. have control over thereon- 'centl'ationfof .thefsupply yof solution at all` times-v; andsqi-mwhich the-time laginherent Apast controlsfis eliminated. f

More specically thisinvention hasy as-one. of

its objects to provide an improved method of controlling the concentration of a solution, wherein, during regeneration, regenerating medium from a source thereof is introduced in small amounts into the test cell simultaneously with transfer of regenerating liquid to the supply of solution being controlled. When regenerating liquid is introduced simultaneously into the test cell and the supply of solution substantially in proportion to their respective volumes, the time lag hereinbefore referred to may be entirely,

eliminated; and the test cell will be able, more or less, to anticipate changes in concentration of the supply of solution during regeneration even though circulation of solution through the cell should cease.

Hence, the control of regeneration by the electronic solution control apparatus is not dependent upon the functioning of the washing machine, or other device with which the control apparatus may be used. The feeding of regenerating medium always will be interrupted whenever the small quantity of regenerating medium introduced into the test cell has restored the solution therein to the desired concentration.

While the regenerating medium may be fed simultaneously to the test cell and the reservoir containing the supply of solution in proportion to their respective volumes, a slight excess of the trolled and to disperse itself therein; and regeneration will be resumed after a brief interval in consequence to the replacement of the stronger solution in the test cell by weaker solution from the supply. In this manner, regeneration may be interrupted several times before the concentration of the supply of solution has been fully restored, so that a complete regenerating cycle may comprise a number of short feed cycles rather than one long feed cycle which is apt to result in overfeeding.

In solution control apparatus of the type in D question, and especially for use with dishwashing machines and the like, it is customary to provide the apparatus with a regenerating vessel in which dry or powdered washing materials are deposited. It is necessary to dissolve these chemicals by the addition of water to the regenerating vessel. This forms a concentrated regenerating liquid in the vessel which overflows the same and is transferred to the supply of washing solution in the machine whenever water is introduced into the regenerating vessel. These dry or powdered washing materials have a tendency to form a hard cake in the renegerating vessel, and it has been necessary to subject the materials to a needle-like stream of water during regeneration to aid in cutting into and dissolving the caked material in the regenerating vessel.

During regeneration, however, the force of the needle-like stream of water introduced into the regenerating Vessel frequently resulted in considerable splashing of the concentrated chemical solution over the apparatus and the machine upon which it was mounted, and both soon became unsightly. Also, such splashing involved d waste of washing materials, which, of course, was highly objectionable.

In addition, if the washing materials in the regenerating vessel contained high foaming ingredients, the needle-like stream of water introduced into the vessel resulted in such agitation as to cause the vessel to overflow with suds, thereby creating an extremely messy condition.

Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide a solution control apparatus of the character described in which splashing and foaming of materials in the regenerating vessel is minimized or largely eliminated.

More specifically this invention provides a novel agitator cup through which water is introduced into the regenerating vessel and by which splashing and foaming of liquid in the regenerating vessel is minimized. This cup has a small orifice in its underside to direct a needlelike stream of water downwardly into the regenerating vessel, and it is so fixed with respect to the Vessel that the orifice is above the overflow level of regenerating liquid in the vessel to prevent clogging oi the orifice, while an annular side wall on the cup concentric with the orice protrudes below the overflow level into the regenerating liquid to eliminate splashing and foaming of the liquid.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application ofthe principles thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of a dishwashing machine illustrating the application of the solution control apparatus of this invention thereto, part of the control apparatus being broken away and shown in section and the entire dishwashing machine being shown in cross section;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the control apparatus taken along the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the control apparatus taken along the plane of the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts the solution control apparatus of this invention, generally designated 5, is shown as being mounted on the top of a dishwashing machine 6. Inasmuch as the control apparatus may be used to control a variety of different solutions, either alkaline or acid, the dishwashing machine shown is merely for purposes of illustration.

The washing machine 6 may be of conventional construction and has upright side walls l, a top wall 8, and a bottom wall 9. At least one of the side walls is generally made movable to provide for loading and unloading of the washer. A supply of washing solution lil is maintained in the bottom of the washer to a predetermined depth as determined `by the height to which va drain Il projects up from the bottom wall of the washer.

'covered ofthetanlr entame:-

. theabottom .of thewashingptank: through ian :iiiietY l?` piped i and-.thenoutletsothemump connects. with: theeheaders .1.6 through azpipect A .second set; tof :upper: 1 andi4 lower spray,- pipes: Ztandf li:4:.'rexspeotivelys maya-be p-rovidedaffopirirsi: ing the Washeddishes.:amlftheseopipes arevl-mef-fy erablyeinterleaved between :the ipipes :si 3x' and. 'i 4 and. supplied withz freshifwatep .,throughf/headers:y Zilncnnecting Withra: freshxwatersupply line.v 2&5

Aftenra batch of dishes has b.een=..washed in the.. machina-.thepump :i li isf.si',o.1oped3 by: openingfthe; 25; motor: switch 2 ."ancl fresh rinse water,y isifed thee rinsing. :pipes 123 'and .241 under-:the-.eontrol fef':

a, et/alize;inotfshowngsoeas toi :rinsez :the Washing solution. from'zthe dishes@A The rinseitfateiaused-.at the endfoieaeh: Washei 50.v

mg: operation =fa1ls,tintq.the:fieserv.oir at ,the.leot1-iv tomrof fthe. .washing` tanks andif mixes 1f. with the` supplyiofzfsolution l (t foaming-dilution rthereo'izj If? this. diluted Washing/1. solutionfis .pumpedxinto-l. the spray pipes; I3: andiflll ima subsequent washs-i 35 ing,r cycle' withoutlhavin'g;beeneegenexated::by: the;v addition op4 suitable-i"-deteregentsein:v'coneentrateokv i 01cm? ;-th9r.et0; it.: Wilhberappaeiitllazt theiwashg-Ei ing solution vwillkhaitef insufficient; cleansingzaoetion teg.-satisfacterilszi` completmthemext 40..

cyelee.' Hemel:conceptratedxiwashms.amatori *5; preferablyrin 'fliciuidrformuimustr bez-added 1to1-tha. supplsc'etfesolution ;l 0: roimtime: tati-metto; ring:

the solutionbackfstocthee properaeoneentratiomom degree of effectiveness. Thezreeienei;atinsidevicey 28: ,oriths inventionzpetioimsihisitunctort alito- Ina-ticalla-.fr f' Thefregeneratineedevee 23tisz--ra 'funtf separate: from the washtlsimachinaandamaa lae;molaiterieVT direothfr;upenfftheetopfwali .Bf otr I illustrated; It comparisesfa tan ihhatngfilmm right. ,sidewalls-3i, -aabottomwa ...Rienda des; tachable cover 33 which not onlygserves-gto cover-'f a, portion of! f Yther tamiftaa one, Lend thereot f V*but whichffalsef hasl the. electronic :'control device 1346- mounted,--tiiereei'nf4 Screws 35; detachablyiheldithei covert-in.- -place onf the'frcnt rendzzotthe tank `3 ma The;A electrenienfconttol deisice1,34.fcoatains aan. eleotrieal7 system' such as: :that: shown and der scribed? in., my,....aiore-mentionedffiPatent@Nes 60, n i v materials there1n.. Thev .forcetof the.. stream-- .oft

2,62l-., 6'?;3x3or--copendingapplicationSerialfeNotf 59h48.9,..n abandoned andtisf-adaptedfto.@omtrek thegeher tlonaanddeeenergizationee-f anfeleo-f; tromaenetievalve 3ft-in a -waten suseplyeline f3.1; i:

efieetinitation; andterrnination-otiregeneratien; 65

respectivelyit supplie.otselutonflm Y 'lheg` tar-1kv Se, is providedrwith afpartition wall,v 38m-which. extends enti-rely :aero-oss;.the` iforvvard :deh-nef a regenerating-f vesse 450.V the; uncovers. .rreanvpciztiomtfotathe: tank., lfhile.l the; partition.:wa-llt.;38j extends:- u -fzwardty: o fthe fundersidei'of; thefotieiz-:t: has-1.a. seniesg-of-apertures 4:4 therein; spaced omwonee another andcentereete-lonsa horizontal.' line loe.V

catedetganeleiaatiopl/abmiefthe gbottom offthe 6; tanks; corresponding@ tmf; approximately quarters--theidepth efthei nk.: Hence, upomthe,

addition lof; watenr .to fthef.-regenerating-4 vesselsulV it ywill -be apparent fthat.: the: 'liquidtlei/elfimthei regenerating:Vesselewill benmaintaipedfata :pres:- determinede depth :corresponding toi-fthe location-z otr the` apertureseliteimthe ,partition walt -38fand that iliquidvffin the regenerating l,Vessel when caused` :to I@v erilovsmthe:partition, wall and center;x the.-forward portion oithe Ther regenerating.' yessel is.n adaptedatok A:contain V.concefitrateds regenerating .medi-um; in. 1 a oripowdexed state,-.and regenerationfci 7the.wash-:1 ingsolution-J is-adaptectto lee-effected byformf; int,T a conceiitratedv solution :in theffregeneratingz vessel and1 causingfthe N concentie'ated liquor dzo: overow-into affmixing .chair-liberA 43 undermthyz; Coveredmortionf .offthef. tankY @atf lita. irontwendyk Thamiaingeehamber. is. formedlpazitly byfgtheg partition fwall 3 8f: and a `second partition fi/Vall.- Nextendngr-frearwardly aerosstthesront opor#v tiontofthe.. tankandfconnectingvwith the .partie 1 tiorawalli 38. atsubstantiallysright anglesztheisetot-z Hence the, partition-Wall .-44 *cooperates;withA .the` Wall/.3 8 ito also. provide-a test freceptacleaor. ,A Celli f 45, the chamber and cell bothxbeirvle.adj.attentatotheirontet themegeperating-essel40 Water .is-.introduced intethe regenerating.- vese` sel ,toiorm aconcentrated Washing-.liquor:thereiriby meansef @a .novelagitatoni cupi 4L carried. on. theinnei; endet. a .nippley 48.just--rear-.warally.K of,--and beneath.A the-l coter.A ,33,oig.thefftanlssn The nipple .extends forwardly tthrough: a yrelatively close., .iittinety .aperture fin.Y the; '.fpartitioza.lI YWall across. the spaceeboye theV mixing. chambers 43 to hate, itsfront .end project through- ,the ilonlt..WallA oil .the tank, Kto, which .it. is xed as.,-.by--a :pair 1 of nuts; 5u) threaded.. ontmtheorward. .epd ot,- the.. nipple and clamping the upright.frontiwalll; o. the .tank,the1zebet.ween.. v A couplinglement 5 I? matita .emalileciL to...cohnec.t.. theivaterfsupgpl'yfln'e.3.'Iwiththeiorward threaded end ofthe nippleso ,as .to enablewater, tobeiintrodueed inf, toi thev regeneratingyesselthroughathefnozzle :or:

' agitator- Ycup Wljieneverrthe-electromagpeticiValve 36' is opened;

The `nozzleA or.. ,agitator..cupl -`4'1. of.,thisfinten-il tion has an inletlintowhch .thednnerendfot the. nipple.. 481 is. threadedsand is :provided .with .a

l downwardlyextendinsiannularskirtayformedas.

Dart of thebodyl of. ,the;eup.. v The lowerendtporf.- tion of, the. skirt: projectsv domnwaxzdly.y suiciently far as to; be. immersed in the. regexleratirlsJ liquid inj.,th'.e vesseL .4.. A.relatively;` small orioe 54:`

' connecting. with 'theimetopens.into the..uppe11.

portionof. the skirt. 535,-cent1fa1ly thereof,` and is. adapted' .togdirecma needlerlikesspray et water. downwardlyglthroush the.. skirt and. into :thief-.ree generating. vesselto..dissolyefthe dry regenerating water. injectedinto. the sessel. alsatends .to break unJ naked. material: therein. and...facilitateV the.l formation pia .concentratecl vregenerating liquor, inY the Vess.el.`.

The particular. construction and. plaeemento agitatorv .cup or.. nozzle .41 results.4 .invr substantial improvement in the operation of the solution cone trolaptlaratus of this invention., .Oneadvantageiis obtainedimieason` of.` `the-.fasst that the nozzle is; mounted. in* such a position A*relai-.ive to: theileyeltof: liquid; .theireaenerating yessel thatfthe orifice; Meis maintained av sleigh-t'v distance abovefthe liquid leveli ana henee.-v2 will not; become: clogged :witln' dred-` alkaline iwashinszmateria'l's; Anothereiadie;

vantage is that the depending skirt 53, being immersed in the regenerating liquid, prevents splashing of the regenerating liquor onto the solution control apparatus and, in fact, over the washing machine itself, thereby obviating the need for frequent cleaning of the mechanisms.

Whenever the electromagnetic valve 36 is opened to cause water to be injected into the regenerating vessel through the nozzle 41, the concentrated washing liquor in the vessel overflows into the mixing chamber 43 through the apertures 4| in the wall 38. The concentrated washing liquor thus transferred to the mixing chamber discharges into the reservoir of the washing machine through a drain fitting 56 in the bottom of the mixing chamber. The drain fitting 55, of course, projects downwardly through an opening in the top wall 8 of the washing machine, and has a length of tubing 51 connected therewith to conduct the concentrated liquor and the overiiow of solution from the test cell to one side of the washing zone and down to the supply of liquid in the reservoir of the machine. This prevents the concentrated Washing liquor from falling onto the dishes or other articles being Washed.

As stated, regeneration can take place only upon energization of the electromagnetic valve 36. This valve is controlled by the electronic control device 34 mounted on the cover 33 of the apparatus, and the electronic control device is rendered operative and inoperative in consequence to changes in the electrical resistance of the washing solution l0 brought about by changes in its concentration. Dilution of the washing solution by rinse water weakens the solution and increases its electrical resistance; while strengthening of the solution, as by the addition of a regenerating medium thereto, decreases its electrical resistance.

The electrical resistance of the washing solution I0 is detected in the test cell 45, which is adapted to hold a measured sample of the solution. For this purpose solution from the supply Ill is circulated through the test cell by means of the pump Il. A branch pipe 58 joined with the outlet of the pump I1 in any suitable manner, as by connection to one of the upper headers I6, connects with an anti-Siphon spout 59 fixed to the front wall 5| of the tank 3D and directed downwardly toward the open top of the test cell to deliver solution thereto. Hence, the pump l1 will cause the test cell to be filled with washing solution from the supply l0 to a depth corresponding to the height of the partition 44 separating the cell from the mixing chamber 43, without danger of the solution in the cell being siphoned back into the pump whenever the same is shut olf. Solution overflowing from the test cell, of course, enters the mixing chamber 43 for return to the reservoir of the washing machine by the tube 5l. Hence, the circulation of solution through the test cell and the tube 5l in this manner has the effect of continuously washing the tube, preventing any build up therein of concentrated washing liquor as would be the case if the tube was used solely to conduct the regenerating liquid into the reservoir.

^ Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the partition wall 44 has a height such as to maintain the level of solution in the test cell slightly beneath the level of regenerating liquor in the vessel 40. Stated in another manner, the partition 44 does not extend upwardly quite as far as the level of the openings 4I in the partition direct overflowing regenerating liquor toward the test cell.

It is one of the features of this invention to divert a small metered amount of regenerating liquorinto the test cell whenever regeneration is taking place. For this purpose, a trough 6I is fixed to the cell side of the wall 38 to catch the regenerating liquid which ows through the apertures above the test cell and to direct such liquid into the mixing chamber 43. A small aperture 62 in the bottom of the trough, however, enables the desired small amount of the regenerating liquor to flow into the test cell to raise the concentration and consequently lower the resistance of the solution therein.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that, during regeneration, regenerating liquid is simultaneously fed into the test cell and the supply of solution in the washing machine. Ac-

icording to this invention, the amount of regenerating liquid diverted into the test cell through the aperture 62 during regeneration should bear a predetermined relationship to the amount of liquid fed into the mixing chamber for delivery to the reservoir of the washing machine. This, of course,V is determined by the size of the aperture 52, and with a minimum amount diverted into the test cell, the amounts fed to the cell and the reservoir should be substantially proportional to the volumes of the cell and the solution in the reservoir, respectively. Such proportionate feeding of regenerating liquor into the cell and the mixing chamber causes the concentration of solution in the test cell and the supply Ill to increase substantially uniformly, but with the increase of concentration of solution in the cell leading slightly the corresponding increase of concentration in the supply of solution, by reason of the more direct transfer of regenerating medium into the test cell.

Preferably, however, the aperture 62 is made large enough as to cause a slight excess of regenerating liquor to be diverted into the test cel/lto effect strengthening of the solution therein ell in advance of the corresponding increase in concentration of the solution in the reservoir of the washing machine, for a purpose to be described shortly.

The electrical resistance of the solution in the test cell is detected by electrode means 34 which, in fact, forms a part of the electronic control device 34. The electrode means may comprise a pair of electrodes or a single electrode as shown and explained at length in the aforesaid copending application, now'Patent No. 2,621,673. In any event the electronic control device 34 functions at the dictation of the electrode means to cause opening of the electromagnetic valve 36 whenever the electrical resistance of the solution in the test cell indicates that the solution is weaker than desired; and causes closing of the valve 36 upon return of the solution -to the desired concentration. Thus when the solution in the test cell is weaker than desired the electromagnetic valve is caused to open and effect initiation of regeneration of the solution by the transfer of regenerating medium from the vessel 40 to the supply of solution l0 in the washing device and to the test cell. Such feeding of regenerating medium simultaneously to the cell and the legeeaoos @supply fini-'will continue:A untiltrthe l-electricahre- :lsistzncerof rtl'ier4 solution@circulatingl :through 'the ftestell andzfdetected-r by `the :electrode .means thereinl indicates .that Tthefslutioniin rtheiicell -h1as1 been restored to thefdesired concentratiom and-the IIel,ectromagnetic' :valve :Betis r'then :ea-used 1 toolosebyf Imeans'ofv the i electronic` .control device '.*84v at the dictation ofthe electrode `means.

l "Itf'rthe `regenerating .medi-um is fied 'Ito'V the-:cell

and-the Isupply :of solution in-famountsfpropor- 1 tionaloto their-respective `-volumesf, itA isfp'ossible -.thatcomplete'regeneration may-comprise afsingle comparatively :long feedfcycle. wHowe'ver; a. slight iexcessY of regenerating;medium :preferably is .fed intofqfthe-'test -cellf'as stated herembeforesofas A.to Vdeli`r.\e'1ately 4cause i regeneration '.-to-4 be1 interir-upted'. prematurely.v 4by' the :electronic .co`ntro1 means. 1 is done. to; establish a timef.in`ter wal. duringA which thefregenerating fmediumf: al-

.readyfmixed-with the over-now offfsolution Tfrom ggthetestfcell, can -further admix with and'become 'dispersed in. the supplyl :off` solution. f Obviously,

regeneration is resumed. assoon. asweaker soluitionfromthe .supply Vhas replaced thestronger .solution inthe test cell-,hatthe dictation-ofthe Ielectrode .means in. the-cell. v y

Inthis manner, complete; regenerationof the fsupply osolution may comprise several relatively (short feed :cyclesf ratherthan oneL comparatively long feed :cycle which might lresult overfeed- .ing .of regenerating medium to, the supply Ybefore .regeneration isi terminated by y the electronic .con- .ft'rol device 'atthe-dictation-of the-electrode means inlthetest-cell.

l" One .of theadvantages Eof. simultaneously feedyfing#regenerating -liquidintdthe `-test --oell and Whe-supply ofe-.solution. in.: the manner-.described is/thatfit-fenables farmoreaccuratej control .of the.: concentration--of the solution. than l,was Vxhitherto .-possible This 4.desirable result is achieved bywthe.- elimination of anytimelag 'w-hichoecurs when the-.concentration ofthe-s`olu (tion in thetestcellis increased-only ,-by. theeddition A. of -regenerating nmedium* Vto the supply Anotherhighly important ladvantage.which.. is .gained by Y. simultaneously feeding the regenerating .mediuminto the .test cell Aand the .supply of .solution accordi-ng n.to 'the-method' described,

. is .that the .solution :control :apparatus is enabled." ,50

couldcontinue indefinitely. until .noticed by. an

operator of the machine, -or untilthe pumphad `been. `restarted to again .circulate .solution from ...the supply to the-test cell.

[The .provision-of a.T mixing 4chamberlSy into .which roth.y .the -sommen from the .test .en and theregenerating vmedium. ovei'owsis. also'` a highly-important feature'of' thev apparatus o'f this invention, .b'utl this vfe'atun'risl shown. and-claiind in lmy aforesaid copendin'g'P'atentNo." 26211673.

Itis Asuiicientto noteI that the premixing -of .regenerating.`medium with the overflow "of `soludispersion of .the regenerating medium" thro'iigh- /outthe body of. solution in .the .reservoir .of the curate 1 :r Fromthe-foregoing ydescription taken-:together -apparent tothoselfskilledLin-the art. that this @invention providesazsolution nontrol apparatus whichf. will' operate 1. .infl fannimproveol .wmanner :to effect highly accurate control of the'zconcentra- :tionz .'o7 .as solutiorrpwhile r positively.. :pre'cluding away .regeneration :oi -tl e :solution being controlled. .-'It1wi1l`ffalso; abe: apparentthat. .the provisionV of :the xnozzle 1 ornsagitatori eup- .foi 'this A.invention eliminates y the obj ectonablesplashing fof.:` :regenerating ymedium over i the.V .apparatus whicirnwas .hitherto experienced, 'alongfwith- .the ologging'of the'srnall oriiice'oithe nozzle..

'.What I 'claim-:as ray-'invention is: l .15. Unitary. solution'rcontrol. vapparatus vor* .the

a'bottom Wall andfLu-prig-ht side wallsgcneans Ilining a'finixing 'compartment infonefportion of .the itankLv-having-fan. outlet in a.= lower. portion thereoff'connectablo with: asupply of solution which requiresregenerationfiromtime to time; meansf in.v the 'tanke Vdefining a 'testing receptacle Yadjacent 5to.' .said mixing A.compartment #and adaptedffto.- receive solution. lirom the' supply #thereof ,an 'overflow connection 'between' .l .the 'testingfreceptacle and fthe mixing. compartment ewherebywsolution deliveredtoihe ytesting refceptacle'fills': the same: to a predetermined llevel :and overows :into the mixing eccmnartmenteior returnx to the solution supply g means :defining a regenerating fvessel=in saidtanladjacent to the testing receptacle :and f .thee mixing coinfipartx'nent `suiaptedlto:contain aregene'rating .liquiolll means fproviclingfI an. @ver-now connection between: -said vvesselv :and the-Fmixing-1-c0mpartment rat-f a: higher vflevez"l thanfthat V.of fthe solution in -theltesting Vreceptacley whereby liquid delivered to theregenier'ating vessel fills thetsame-.tof said: higher. lever Aand::cveriiows into-.the mixing compartment;

and. a trolugh'on .theftank'lbelcwfthe level .ortho 40 overow connection between the vessel and the mixing'compartmentv-and outside .the vessel to freceive! they .overilow from .-said vessel, a; portion '.oi said! trough-being above .the .testing-receptacle and.-ietilingv affhole therein forfidiverting .into the 'testing' .receptacle-v a relatively .small.-l0i-oportion of-rthef iliquidwhich overows from '.the,l regenerating vessel. 1 i2;* c Unitary solution =control 'apparatus of the '.characterwdescribedgcomprising Y. a tank having a. r.bottom wall'wand-.f upright-side v walls; means defining a lmixing v compartment in one portion ort-heftanlrI said mixing-.compartment -havingan :outletfinf aflower portion .thereoipfrom .which Asolution'.mayHowto afsupply thereof which relquires regeneration from.time..to time;..means inthe tank dening a testingreceptacleadjacent tofs/aid mixing'oompartrnenteand through .which :solution from the.- -supplyfthereof- 'may .be `circ'ulatedpastl electrical A`detecting means v.therein f .which --governI .the operation. of electrical l control l.)instrumeni'ali-ties .fan overlow. connectonfbetween the testingreceptacle fand the mixing .com- -=partment wherebyscluton delivered toxthe testing-receptacle iills the; same .to a predetermined lcvel land :overiiows into. the .mixing `compartment i ier` return tothe solution' supplygf. .means d'e'ning a. regenerating roesch-inA said .tank-adapted .to .containa regenerating liquid .means .providing an 'overflow fconnectionbetween. the regenerat- 705mg iV6SSe1 fandthe :miXing-'cornpartmentfat. a emachine, and hence-has .the effect of.. .making the electronic controls more sensitiva and. ac-

!-higher .l evel.-than that. :or the. solution. .in-.the -testing-receptacle wherebyliquid delivered .tothe =.regenerating .vessel yiillsthe-'sametosaicl. Aehigher level. ancloveriiowsinto .the mixing compartment; .75-means .on thegtank for ,divertingintorthe .testing characterdeseribed,lcomprising: aftani: having accesos 11 receptacle a relatively small proportion of the regenerating liquid which overiiows from the regenerating vessel at the dictation of said electrode means.

3. Unitary solution control apparatus of the character described, comprising: a tank having a bottom wall and upright side walls; means deiining a mixing compartment in one portion of the tank having an outlet in a lower portion thereof connectable with a supply of solution which requires regeneration from time to time; means in the tank defining a testing receptacle adjacent to said mixing compartment and adapted to receive solution from the supply thereof; an overflow connection between the testing receptacle and the mixing compartment whereby solution delivered to the testing receptacle lls the same to a predetermined level and 4overflows into the mixing compartment for return to the solution supply; means defining a.y

regenerating vessel in said tank adjacent to the mixing compartment and into which water is adapted to be introduced to form regenerating liquid; means providing an overflow connection between said vessel and the mixing compartment at a higher level than that maintained in the testing receptacle whereby liquid introduced into the regenerating vessel iills the same to said higher level and overflows into the mixing compartment for addition to the supply of solution; a substantially cup-shaped nozzle through which water is adapted to be introduced into the regenerating vessel; and means mounting said nozzle on the tank over the regenerating vessel and in an inverted position with its open end facing downwardly and extending into the regenerating vessel a distance beneath the level of liquid which is maintained by said overflow connection between the regenerating vessel and the mixing compartment.

4. In an automatic solution control apparatus oi' the type comprising a test cell through which solution from a supply thereof spaced from the test cell may be constantly circulated, detecting means in said test cell responsive to a characteristic of the solution that varies with its concentration, and a regeneration vessel from which concentrated medium is transferred to the supply of solution at the dictate of the detecting means in the test cell, means for accurately regulating the transfer of concentrated regenerating medium to the supply of solution, said means compricing: means for diverting into the test cell a portion of the regenerating medium leaving the regenerating vessel during regeneration so that concentrated regenerating medium will be fed to the test cell to raise the concentration of solution in the test cell to the desired value at least as soon as said value is reached in the supply thereof, and regeneration will be stopped even' before the fully regenerated solution from the supply thereof reaches the test cell.

5. In an automatic solutionv control apparatus of the type wherein solution from a supply thereof, the concentration of which is to be maintainedA at a predetermined value, is constantly circulated past detecting means responsive to a characteristic of the solution which varies with its concentration, and concentrated regenerating medium is added to the solution at the dictation of said detecting means to maintain the solution at said value of concentration: means defining a regenerating vessel for holding a supply of concentrated regenerated medium, said vessel having outlet means through which such medium leaves the Lil) l2 vessel to be fed to the supply of solution; means defining a test cell adjacent to the regenerating vessel, in which the detecting means is located and through which solution from the lsupply thereof may be constantly circulated for detection of said characteristic thereof, said test cell being adapted vto be located at a distance from the supply of solution so that some delay might occur between the time when regenerating medium leaves the regeneration vessel and the detection of the consequent increase in solution concentration at the test cell; and means defining a restricted communication between the outlet means of the regeneration vessel and the test cell for diverting a small portion of concentrated regenerating medium iiowing out of the regenerating vessel during regeneration to the test cell, so that-the concentration of the solution in the test cell at any instant is substantially equal to that which will obtain at the supply of solution when the medium leaving the regenerating vessel at that instant' is mixed with the supply.

6. An automatic solution control apparatus of the type in'which solution from a supply thereof is circulated past detecting means responsive to a characteristic of the solution which varies with its concentration and concentrated regenerating medium is added to the solution at the dictation of said detecting means to maintain the solution at a predetermined concentration, said apparatus comprising: a tank; an upright partition wall in said tank denning a regenerating vessel occupying a portion of said tank at one side of said wall and in which concentrated regenerating medium may be stored and out of which it is caused to overflow across said wall a substantial distance above the bottom of the tank at the dictation of the detecting means; a second upright partition wall in said tank at the other side of and lower than and intersecting said first designated wall and cooperating therewith to define a mixing compartment having an outlet at its bottom and fa test cell having the detecting means therein and having an inlet through which solution from the supply thereof may be constantly'introduced for circulation past said detecting means and an 'overiiow outlet into the mixing ycompartment nated wall at said other side thereof and below the level-of said outlet thereacross and extending across said second wall to receive concentrated p medium flowngout of the regeneration compartment and conduct it to the mixing compartment,

' said duct having a restricted outlet in its bottom above the test cell to divert into the test cell a lsmall proportion of the medium leaving the regenerating vessel so that if circulation through Ythe test cell is'interrup-ted such flow of regenerat- I v .ing medium Will not continue beyond a point corresponding to apredetermined solution concentration. Y

7. An automatic solution control apparatus of the type in which solution from a supply thereof is circulated past detecting means responsive to a characteristic of the solution which varies with its concentration and concentrated regenerating medium is added to the solution at the dictation of said detecting means to maintain the solution at a predetermined concentration, said apparatus comprising: a tank; a first partition in said tank defining a regenerating vessel on one side of the partition for holding a supply of concentrated regenerating medium and a premixing chamber on the other side of the partition, said regenerating vessel having an overflow outlet across said partition, into said premixing chamber, at a level spaced above the bottom of the regenerating vessel so that during feeding of concentrated regenerating medium at the dictation of the detection means such regenerating medium -debouches from the regenerating vessel into the premixing chamber, said premixing vessel having an outlet at its bottom connectable with the supply of solution; a second partition in said tank defining a test cell on one side thereof, said premixing Ichamber being on the other side of said second partition, said test cell having the detecting means therein and having an inlet connectable with a source of solution being constantly circulated from the supply thereof and an overflow outlet into said premixing chamber across Said second partition at a level below the outlet of the regenerating vessel so that solution circulated through the test cell past said detecting means will combine in the premixing chamber with concentrated regenerating medium being added to the supply to premix the same; and a duct below the outlet of the regenerating vessel and into which the same debouches, said duct having a restricted outlet into the test cell for diverting a portion ofthe concentrated regenerating medium leaving the regenerating vessel into the test cell to increase the concentration of the solution therein above that which would normally obtain, so that in the event of interruption of circulation of solution through the test cell regeneration will be halted before the solution at the supply becomes excessively concentrated.

8. Solution control apparatus of the character described, comprising: means defining a collecting chamber having an outlet through which solution may return to a supply thereof which requires regeneration from time to time; means defining a solution testing receptacle alongside the collecting chamber and through which solution from the supply thereof may be constantly circulated past electrode means for detecting the electrical resistance of solution in the receptacle; means communicating said collecting chamber with the testing receptacle at a level spaced a distance above the bottom of the receptacle so that solution delivered to the receptacle will ll the same to said level and will overow into the `collecting chamber for return to the supply of solution; a regenerating vessel alongside the collecting chamber; means communicating said vessel with the collecting chamber at an elevation spaced a distance above the level at which solution is adapted to be maintained in the testing receptacle so that liquid delivered to the regenerating vessel will maintain the same filled and will overow into the collecting chamber; and means for diverting a relatively small proportion of the overflow of regenerating liquid from the regenerating vessel into the testing receptacle.

9. In apparatus of the character described: a regenerating vessel having bottom and upright side walls; outlet means for said regenerating vessel spaced a distance above the bottom wall thereof and by which a predetermined level of liquid may be maintained in the vessel; means for introducing Water into the vessel to dissolve solid regenerating materials therein to thereby form a concentrated liquid for use as a regenerating medium, said means comprising an inverted cup-like nozzle having a body portion provided with an inlet connectable with a water supply line and having a small orifice connecting with said inlet and opening through the underside of the nozzle body at the center thereof to provide a discharge port through which water may be forcefully discharged downwardly in the form of a ne needlelike jet, and an imperforate tubular skirt on the nozzle having its upper portion closed by the nozzle body and its open lower portion projecting a distance below the body substantially concentric with said discharge port thereof; and means mounting said nozzle in fixed relation to the regenerating vessel with the open end of the skirt thereof projecting downwardly into the vessel a distance beneath said outlet means and with the discharge orifice so located with respect to the outlet means that the discharge orifice will be maintained a distance above the level of liquid in the vessel to minimize clogging thereof by said liquid while the lower portion of the skirt will be immersed in the liquid contained in the vessel to largely preclude splashing of the liquid by the force of the jet of water discharged thereinto from the nozzle.

10. The solution control apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mounting means for the nozzle comprises a nipple fixed with relation to the vessel and connected with the inlet of the nozzle, said nipple leading to the exterior of the vessel to provide for connection of the nozzle with a water supply line at a point remote from the regenerating vessel.

11. An apparatus of the type having electrical control instrumentalities for controlling the transfer of regenerating liquid from a regenerating vessel to a supply of solution at the dictation of electrode means in accordance with the electrical resistance of .the solution as detected by said electrode means: characterized by the provision of a test cell remote from the supply of solution, for housing said electrode means, and through which solution from the supply thereof may be constantly circulated; and further characterized by the provision of means under the control of said electrode means for effecting feeding of a limited amount of regenerating liquid into said test cell simultaneously with said trans fer of regenerating liquid to the supply of solution, during substantially the entire period regenerating liquid is being transferred to the supply of solution, so that the concentration of the solution in the test cell, during regeneration, will exceed the concentration of solution entering the test cell from the supply of solution.

J. G. HODGENS, JR.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,222,123 Nysewander Apr. 10, 1917 1,576,001 Olden Mar. 9, 1926 1,930,500 Archibald Oct. 17, 1933 2,006,191 Anderson June 25, 1935 2,191,019 Johnson Feb. 20, 1940 2,302,326 Kehoe et al. Nov. 17, 1942 2,377,363 Noble June 5, 1945 2,404,548 Thomas July 23, 1946 2,500,042 Nutting Mar. 7, 1950 

